Truffles & Traditions In Le Marche™

Tie on your aprons with Signoro Reno, food lover, truffle hunter and wine enthusiast in the heart of Le Marche on our truffle hunting and cooking classes tour.  Signoro Reno welcomes guests and leads them in truffle hunting and truffle cooking classes in Le Marcheìs green forests and farmlands.

The Region of Le Marche is one of Italy’s most natural regions keeping its beauty, rich culture and food.  This one-of-a-kind truffle hunting and truffle cooking class experience takes you into the forest and then the kitchen where you’ll learn about truffles and how to use the tubers in cooking.

Le  Marche is one of Italy’s major truffle regions, and here you’ll find endless tuber magnatum pico – the prized white truffle, and tuber melanosporum – the delicious black truffle which are abundant and delicious.  Signoro Reno and his prized truffle dog are on a search for the best truffles in the region – and they always find the tubers!!!

Following the truffle hunting experience, head to the kitchen where you will prepare a full course menu including handmade pasta served with fresh shaved truffles followed by a main course, dessert and wine. Our truffle hunting and cooking class is perfect for the food lover at heart who appreciates the precious truffles.

Le Marche Cooking Classes

Join us in the kitchen for hands-on cooking classes using truffles, while preparing antipasto, fresh pasta, sauces, main courses and desserts.  Transform farm-to-table ingredients learning how to incorporate delicious black and white truffles – think truffle infused frittata, creamy risotto and gently shaved on fresh pasta.  A true Umbrian speciality is vincisgrassi – a layered pasta with cheese and meat sauce.  Umbrian stuffed olives, called Olive all’ascolana, are a delicious delicacy made here in the kitchen.  Learn how to mix, roll and cut tagliatelle; prepare herbed roasted lamb, rabbit and pork served with braised fennel, bomboletti al sugo.  Learn about local wine – while you sip and swirl  Verdicchio, white and Ciliegiolo, Pinot Nero and Lacrima di Morro.  You’ll enjoy an Umbrian dessert called i cavalluci, a folded over dough stuffed with chocolate, candied orange and other spices – to name a few.

The Marche region is a culturally rich area, divided into four provinces by four river valleys, in a remote part of Italy – undiscovered by the crowds – ensuring that the land and villages remain quiet and untouched.  Its strategic location makes it a perfect spot for reaching all of the most important destinations of central Italy including Florence, Siena, Assisi, Perugia, Urbino, Gubbio, and Ravenna.

The Marche region lies on the eastern side of central Italy, between the Adriatic Sea and the majestic Apennine Mountains offering something for everyone – culture, art, wine making, history, music and landmarks.  Admire the masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture, hike across uncharted mountains, or hunt for the best catch of the day in its Mediterranean fishing port. It is still possible to experience a taste of Old-World cuisine and culture in Le Marche, an area still unsullied by mass tourism, and very intriguing to foreigners. The Marchigiani, the people of the Marche region, are hard working, warm and friendly. Known for producing quality merchandise in textiles and leathers, they have also developed special niches in artisan industries such as high quality handmade paper at Fabriano and musical instruments at Castelfidardo. Olive trees, fresh vegetables and vineyards are plentiful throughout the region also. Many seaside resorts pepper the long stretch of Adriatic coast, making it a relaxing destination for summer vacationers.

If you love new food experiences, our hunting and cooking class truffle adventure is for you!

Ascoli Piceno

Surrounded by mountains and natural parks, the town of Ascoli Piceno has been inhabited since pre-Roman times. Legend has it that a woodpecker led prehistoric settlers to the site, thus bringing about the town’s foundation. Ascoli Piceno’s historic center is rich in churches, palazzi and other important monuments: in particular, the town’s central Renaissance square, Piazza del Popolo, is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy. This piazza, which acted as the forum in Roman times, is dominated by the Palazzo dei Capitani del Popolo, which was burned to the ground during a local feud in 1535 and completely rebuilt ten years later. You can also visit Le Marche’s second largest art gallery inside the 17th-century Palazzo Comunale situated in Piazza Arringo, or Ascoli’s cathedral in the same square.

Le Marche ~ Accommodations

Your charming 4-star accommodation is set in the historic centre of Ascoli Piceno within walking distance of most of the town’s important sites and monuments.  This beautiful historic palazzo was once part of a nobleman’s residence and has been carefully renovated to offer the best of modern comforts while respecting the original character of the property and preserving important period details. Rooms are decorated in warm colors, and harmoniously combine natural materials with designer furnishings and valuable antique pieces. The result is bright, comfortable rooms that nevertheless reflect the traditions of centuries past – comfortable beds, fine linens and bedding. Daily breakfast and maid services are included and rooms are equipped with air conditioning, mini bar, LCD TV, direct dial telephone, WI-FI, and hair-dryer.

Click for Property Photo Gallery

Itinerary: 4 Days, 3 Nights

Day One: Arrival & Welcome Dinner

• Transfer from the Ascoli Piceno train station to a charming 4-star property.
• Arrival & Check-in.
• Relax and unwind on the grounds with a welcome aperitivo and your Cooking Vacations welcome bag.
• Chef’s Welcome Tasting dinner featuring a full course menu of local fare paired with local wine.

Day Two: Visit Offida: La Strada dell’Artigiano

• Breakfast is served.
• Following breakfast, meet your English-speaking guided for an excursion to the village of Offida.
• Artisan cheese tasting with wine.
• Enjoy lunch in a local trattoria featuring Le Marche fare with wine tastings.
• Return to the property in the afternoon.
• Tie on your apron for Cooking Class 1. Dinner follows and includes the food prepared in the cooking class paired with local wine.

Day Three: Truffle Hunting & Cooking Class 2

• Breakfast is served
• Following breakfast, enjoy a walk through the nearby forest to participate in a truffle hunt with your English-speaking host.  Follow the truffle hunter with his dog to find the hidden truffles.
• After your truffle hunt, head to the kitchen for your hands-on Cooking Class 2 where you’ll transform your freshly found truffles into truly delicious local specialties along with farm-to-table ingredients. Learn how to make handmade pasta, Le March -style, and enjoy it with precious shavings of truffle.  Lunch follows and includes the food prepared in the cooking class paired with local wine.
• Following your cooking class, raise your glass for a wine tasting featuring wine from the local winery Fiorano.
• Return to the property after lunch.
• Dinner will be on your own with restaurant suggestions.

Day Four: Check-out & Arrivederci!

• Breakfast is served.
• Check-out and transfer to the Ascoli Piceno train station.
• Arrivederci!